Over the last three years, I had started to believe that I was not a "runner" any more. I'm not sure what definition I use to define a runner- perhaps running everyday with an end goal of running faster. Since I started skiing again (three years ago) I don't run to run faster now- I run because I like it and its good for training (arbitrary, I know).
Two years ago, my friend Lindsey and I ran the Moose Mountain Telephone Loop 16km in Bragg Creek and it was so cold, wet and snowy that I was sure that my legs were going to just freeze on the spot. Let alone that there were so many mud bogs that my poor mitts were soaked and black by 6km from pulling myself out of the mud. All I remember is feeling really hardcore after the race- and wanting to be warm...I didn't care much about the results, but I managed to place 4th overall even with the men.
This year was a different story. The course still had sticky mud and it was cold, but I wasn't on the edge of becoming a Popsicle! I went to this race with a "secret" goal of not only beating my time, but I wanted to crush it- I know I don't normally voice my goals with such anger, but I wanted to judge my fitness and I wanted to find out just how hard I could push.
So I went out with the boys- leading for a bit- and got the usual comments "oh I'm getting beat by a girl"- in a sarcastic tone of course. Now usually I laugh at these comments, but I was pleasantly surprised by my reaction of quietly contemplating just how much I would try to beat this guy by. So off I went verging on blowing up for 16km and managing a strong kick for the last 2km. I was just under five minutes faster then I was two years ago. And I am pretty sure I saw stars. The best part was I got a sweet moose patterned buff and copious amounts of cookies and brownies at the end.
At any rate, during the race itself I didn't feel overly good. I always imagine a good race feeling effortless, but this was just plain grit and guts, there wasn't a moment that I thought it was easy- and even the last 2km took some coaxing from the gentlemen I had been pulling through the course- but I will say that I was pretty excited to see I had another gear and had that final kick left in my legs. I don't think I've felt like that in running since 1998. I think I'm in pretty good shape!
